As a follow up to last week's photo of the SS Ancon shown in the
distance from the USS Missouri I have above what the USS
Ancon (AGC-4) looked like for war. Her she is at anchor
in Chesapeake Bay, 8 May 1943, after conversion from a troop transport
to an amphibious command ship (AGC). Note that some of her civilian bow
ornamentation, although painted over, is still visible. US Navy photo
# NH 95389. What a difference in what the SS Ancon looked like
when in service for the Panama Railroad. The photo below was taken
by my dad probably at Cristobal in the early 1950's. Note the
passenger rail cars on the dock bringing departing passenger to the
ship. This ship has more history about her than most people ever
knew.